Why these high-speed tilting trains lost their ability to lean
In short: Designed to tilt up to six degrees to conquer curved tracks, the Class 221 Super Voyager was built for speed. Yet, many of these Bombardier-built diesel-electric units now travel with their tilting mechanisms completely disabled to ensure reliability and lower maintenance costs.
Introduced in 2001–02, the Class 221 Super Voyager was engineered by Bombardier Transportation to navigate curves at higher speeds using a hydraulic-actuated tilting system. This mechanism allows the train to tilt up to six degrees, distinguishing it from the similar Class 220 Voyager. However, the specialized technology has become a point of operational compromise. In 2008, CrossCountry disabled the tilt function on its 24 sets to improve reliability and reduce maintenance expenses, eventually replacing the hydraulic rams with fixed tie-bars.
The fleet's history is marked by technical and operational shifts. While Grand Central operates two sets with the tilting mechanism still in place, the majority of the fleet has seen its specialized features neutralized. The units, which include five-coach and four-coach configurations, are powered by Cummins QSK19 diesel engines producing 560 kW (750 hp) at 1,800 rpm. Despite their high-speed capability of 125 mph (200 km/h), the trains have faced challenges, including software shutdowns caused by sea waves at Dawlish and incidents involving low adhesion, such as unit 221105 overrunning a platform at Chester in 2013.
The fleet's composition is currently in flux. Avanti West Coast removed its last two Class 221 units on 14 December 2024, once its lease concluded. While some units have been transferred to CrossCountry, others have been slated for new roles, such as potential leases to East Midlands Railway to address rolling stock issues. This transition is part of a broader shift in UK rail, as operators like Avanti West Coast move toward newer electric or bi-mode units like the Class 805 and 807.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: British Rail Class 221
- Also: Wikidata — British Rail Class 221 · CC0
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